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Divers Find Remarkably Intact 200‑Year‑Old British Shipwreck in Lake Ontario

01:43 PM, 11/25/2025
Divers Find Remarkably Intact 200‑Year‑Old British Shipwreck in Lake Ontario

Canadian divers from the Jeff Lindsay team discovered a likely early-19th-century British ship about 100 metres down in Lake Ontario, with both main and fore masts still standing. The wreck was found unexpectedly while searching for the 1884 Rapid City. Lead diver Heison Chak called the intact masts "rare," noting deep, cold freshwater can help preserve wooden structures. Further research and documentation are planned to identify and protect the site.

Canadian divers from the Jeff Lindsay exploration team have discovered what appears to be a British ship from the early 1800s resting on the bed of Lake Ontario roughly 100 metres beneath the surface. The vessel is notably well preserved: photographs from the dive show both the main and fore masts still standing.

How it was found

The team was searching for the wreck of the Rapid City (an 1884 vessel) when divers unexpectedly came across the older ship. The wreck lies about 100 metres (approximately 328 feet) below the surface and was documented with high-resolution imaging during the expedition.

Why this matters

Heison Chak, lead exploration diver and president of the Ontario Underwater Council, said it is "rare" to find a wreck with both main and fore masts intact because tall wooden structures usually collapse as a ship deteriorates. Cold, fresh water at depth can slow decay and help preserve wooden wrecks, making discoveries like this particularly valuable to maritime archaeologists and historians.

"Finding both the main and fore masts standing is uncommon — it gives us a much clearer picture of the vessel's construction and condition," Chak said.

Next steps

Researchers and the exploration team will work to identify the vessel more precisely through further imaging, archival research, and possibly targeted dives. Cataloging and protecting the site will be important to preserve its condition and to learn more about early 19th-century naval architecture and Great Lakes history.

Note: The discovery was made during a private exploration; the team has shared images of the wreck and their dive crew. Further investigation will determine the ship's origin, name and exact age.

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